Your fourth grader reads books that some ninth-grade students struggle to finish. However, they struggle with simple math. How can your child be so gifted in one area while struggling in another? 

The good news is that your child is not alone. Your child fits into a special category called “twice exceptional.” Twice-exceptional students (also known as 2e students) are children who are ahead in one academic area and behind in another, usually due to a learning disability, speech or auditory difficulties, emotional dysregulation issues, physical disabilities, or an autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. 

This article helps parents and caregivers better understand the nature of exceptional children and what it means to be twice exceptional. It will also offer guidance on when a new school environment might be appropriate. 

What Does “Twice-Exceptional” Mean?

To understand what it means to be “twice exceptional,” let’s begin with what it means to be exceptional.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), an exceptional child is “a child who is substantially above or below the average in some significant respect.” Note that this definition encompasses students at both ends of a broad spectrum. In the 1980s and 1990s, students who excelled in a particular area were deemed “gifted.” Those who struggled were wrongfully called “slow learners” and placed in special education programs. Now, the term “exceptional child” covers both groups. 

However, some children are far above average in some academic subjects but below average in others. Officially, researchers deem a student “twice exceptional” if they are unusually “gifted or talented in one or more areas while also having a learning, emotional, physical, sensory, or developmental disability.” 

Note that the 2e designation requires two steps. First, grades or testing must show that the student is unusually talented in a particular area. Being in the top 10 percent of the testing range could suffice. (However, grades are not the “be all, end all.” Experts realize that many gifted students struggle with grades and testing. The key is that the student’s overall performance shows the potential for giftedness.) 

After establishing that a student is well above average in one area, a twice-exceptional diagnosis requires a disability of some sort. Some of the common disabilities include: 

• Dyslexia 
• Dysgraphia (difficulty writing)
• Dyscalculia (difficulty with numbers)
• ADHD
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Executive Function Disorder/Executive Dysfunction
• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

A seventh-grade student who can do collegiate-level math but struggles with reading due to dyslexia would be considered twice exceptional.  

One final note: Many mental and learning issues occur together. For example, students with a specific learning disability such as dysgraphia often have ADHD as well. ADHD also tends to coincide with anxiety and depression. So, parents should note that when one issue is diagnosed, other diagnoses may follow. 

How are Twice-Exceptional Students Identified? 

Identifying 2e students is not easy. First, as noted, they often struggle with multiple issues that affect learning. Focusing on one issue, such as ADHD or executive functioning, may make your child’s gifts or deficits harder to notice. Second, while giftedness is distributed equally, the identification of giftedness is not. 

As noted, giftedness is typically discovered through testing or other means. However, multiple studies have found that, whether due to institutional or teacher bias, many groups of students – including students of color, girls, and English language learners – are not typically referred for gifted testing. Failure to identify these students means that their challenges will take longer to notice and address. 

Finally, gifted students often engage in “masking.” Because they are highly intelligent, gifted children often hide – or mask – the weaker parts of their academic or emotional profile. For example, a child with dyslexia might memorize passages to hide their reading troubles or crack jokes to avoid reading aloud. However, 2e children also mask their star qualities to fit in with their peers or avoid being labeled a “know-it-all.”

However, once testing – whether it is gifted testing or some sort of standardized test – is done, there are some things parents can look for. Twice-exceptional students tend to have “spiky” academic profiles. Think of test scores as being dots on a graph. If you did this for a typical student, the dots would rise and fall slightly but basically look like a straight, if slightly crooked, line. However, if you put a 2e student’s test scores on the same graph, it would jump from high highs to low lows like an EKG or polygraph. This “spiky” pattern is an indication of both great potential and significant difficulties.  

Parents should learn about the various types of testing and masking to get a better picture of their child’s performance and potential. 

Can Twice-Exceptional Students Get School Accommodations? 

Yes. The fact that your child is extraordinary in a particular area cannot prevent them from getting the help they deserve for their challenges. Education laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) do not specifically mention 2e students, but the Department of Education has repeatedly stated that high intelligence cannot be used to deny services to eligible children. So, 2e children must be given any assistance to which they are entitled under the law. 

Which Schools are a Good Fit for Twice-Exceptional Students? 

Twice-exceptional students can succeed in many environments. 

In a public school or private school, they would likely benefit from a 504 or an IEP. Remember, the plan should include both enrichment activities and a strategy to address students’ weaknesses.

Some families place their students in special education programs that also have gifted education. This can be helpful for some, but if the gifted portion isn’t rigorous,  students may not be challenged. 

Finally, families might consider a therapeutic school. In this setting, your child will receive individualized, “wrap-around” services that address their academic, social, and emotional needs.  The cost should not be a concern. If your public-school student has an IEP and you can prove that the district is not providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education, the district will pay your child’s tuition. 

Let Academics West Help Your Twice-Exceptional Child 

Twice-exceptional children are truly a gift. The signs are not always easy to spot, but once parents notice them, they should act immediately. A 2e child can thrive in many environments, including a therapeutic school.

If you and your family decide that a therapeutic school is best for your child, please consider Academics West. Our school, located on the Upper West Side, serves students throughout New York City. We can help your 2e child with all parts of their academic profile. To learn more about how our school can help your child, call 212-580-0080 or take a virtual tour today.